FREDERICTON -- The general manager of the Crabbe Mountain ski hill in New Brunswick says a grief counsellor is working with staff after a part-time ski instructor was killed in a collision with another skier Tuesday.
Jason Crawford said staff at the ski hill, 30 kilometres northwest of Fredericton, are having difficulty dealing with the loss.
"We're a really close-knit community here at Crabbe," Crawford said Wednesday. "Everybody is kind of like family, so it hits close to home and that hurts."
The name of the 62-year-old man had not been released. A teenage girl was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The accident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday near the bottom of two ski runs.
"It is generally a flat area -- a big, wide open space -- and snow conditions were excellent and visibility was excellent," Crawford said.
He said the man was not instructing at the time and both individuals were wearing helmets.
Crawford said members of the ski patrol, as well as a paramedic and doctor who were skiing, were on the scene within minutes.
WorkSafeNB issued a statement saying it has begun an investigation and an autopsy will be performed to determine cause of death.
Officials say they are investigating to determine how the accident could have been prevented and if there were any violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
"Areas under investigation include trail conditions, visibility, application of protective ski equipment and first aid responder statements," the statement reads.
